Parliamentary candidate Philip Allott criticised West Yorkshire Police’s handling of the tendering process, he said: “No West Yorkshire company benefited from the tendering - the police should be supporting their local economy.”

Director of business services at West Yorkshire Police, John Prentice, said: “An open tender was conducted in 2011 in accordance with European regulations, with adverts being placed in the Official Journal of the European Union and on the Bluelight Emergency Services eTendering site.

“Under the open tender process, local firms were provided with the opportunity to bid for this contract; with four suppliers within the force area, two in South Yorkshire and one in North Yorkshire doing so.

“The tender process covered the suppliers’ abilities to demonstrate that they met our specification and requirements, resulting in the contract being awarded to a supplier outside the force area.

“Ideally the force would wish to keep business in West Yorkshire. However, it is imperative that value for money is demonstrated.”